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[Insulin resistance in childhood obesity]
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to higher insulin levels and decreased insulin binding to red blood cells, indicating insulin resistance. This study explores the relationship between body mass index (BMI), insulin levels, and insulin binding in obese children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Research
- Obesity Studies
Context:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Obesity is associated with metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance.
- Understanding the early markers of insulin resistance in children is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), serum immunoreactive insulin concentration (IRI), and insulin binding (IB) to erythrocytes in obese children.
- To determine if decreased insulin binding in obese children is due to changes in insulin receptor number or affinity.
Summary:
- Obese children exhibited significantly higher IRI and lower IB compared to normal-weight controls.
- Decreased IB in obese children was attributed to a reduced number of insulin receptors, not altered receptor affinity (ID50).
- Strong negative correlations were observed between BMI and IB, and between IRI and IB, with a positive association between BMI and IRI.
Impact:
- The findings demonstrate a clear interrelationship between excess weight, hyperinsulinism, and insulin resistance in childhood obesity.
- This research highlights potential early indicators of metabolic dysfunction in pediatric populations.
- Provides insights into the pathophysiology of insulin resistance in the context of pediatric obesity.
Abstract:
Insulin binding to erythrocytes (IB) and serum immunoreactive insulin concentration (IRI) were measured and relationships between these parameters and body mass index (BMI) were investigated in obese children and age matched controls with normal body weight. IRI was increased and IB was decreased significantly in the obese group compared to data of the controls. The decreased IB was due to a decrease in insulin receptor number since it was not accompanied by alteration of half maximal inhibition dose (ID50). Strong negative correlations were found between BMI and IB and between IRI and IB while a positive association was seen between BMI and IRI. These results prove an interrelationship between weight excess, hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance in childhood obesity.